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Pharmacological Potential of Matricaria Recutita-A Review
Pharmacological Potential of Matricaria Recutita-A Review
Pharmacological Potential of Matricaria Recutita-A Review
com
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research 2010; 2(1): 12-16
Review Article
ISSN 0975-248X
ABSTRACT
Matricaria recutita, once it has been called as Marticaria chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita, and Chamomilum nobile
family Asteraceae. The main constituents of this plant include the terpenoids -bisabolol and its oxides and azulenes,
including chamazulene. Matricaria recutita shows different pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti- cancer,
treatment of stress and depression, anti-allergic etc. This review focuses on the detailed chemical constituents,
pharmacological activities of different parts of this plant.
Keywords: Marticaria chamomilla, terpenoids, chamazulene.
INTRODUCTION
Matricaria recutita, once it has been called as Marticaria
chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita, and Chamomilum nobile
family Asteraceae and commonly it is known as German
chamomile, Roman chamomile, English chamomile,
Camomilla, and Flos Chamomile. [1-2]
It mainly grows indigenously in Europe, NW. Asia, N.
Africa, and cultivated in N. America and in many parts of the
world. [1, 3] This herb has been used as herbal remedies for
thousands of years. This herb has been believed by AngloSaxons as one of nine sacred herbs given to humans by the
lord. [4] One of the most commonly consumed single
ingredient herbal tea is chamomile, prepared with dried
flowers from Matricaria recutita L. The composite flower is
white in color with a yellowish orange center. [1] Infusions
and essential oils from fresh or dried flower heads have
aromatic, flavoring and coloring properties. Both are used in
a number of commercial products including soaps,
detergents, perfumes, lotions, ointments, hair products, baked
goods, confections, alcoholic beverages and herbal teas.
Chamomile flowers contain 0.24- to 2.0 percent volatile oil
that is blue in color. [1, 3] European Pharmacopoeia
recommends chamomile contains no less than 4 mL/kg of
blue essential oil. [5]
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
*Corresponding author: Mr. Vikas Gupta,
National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research,
CCRAS, Patiala, Punjab, India; Tel: 09914933022
E-mail: vikas_4308@rediffmail.com
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Farnesene
H 3C
H erniarin
OH
HO
OH
C a ffe ic a c id
HO
CO2H
O
HO
O
OH
Chlorogenic acid
OH
OH
OH
OH
O
HO
HO
OH
OH
OH
Luteolin-7-O-glucoside
H 3C
OH
H
a lf a - B is a b o lo l
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
Anti-inflammatory
The freeze-dried extracts of camomile (Matricaria
chamomilla L.) and was found to suppress both the
inflammatory effect and the leukocyte infiltration. Matricaria
chamomilla was assessed for its anti-inflammatory activity
on intact rats by measuring the suppression of carrageenaninduced paw edema produced by 1/10 of the intraperitoneal
LD50 dose for the 80 % ethanol extract. Results showed that
the plant possessed good anti-inflammatory activity. [35-36]
Immunomodulatory activity
Intragastric
and
parenteral
administration
of
heteropolysaccharides of Matricaria chamomilla L. is found
to normalize developing of the immune response upon air
cooling and enhance (but do not normalize) this process upon
immersion cooling. The immunomodulating effect of the
heteropolysaccharides upon cooling is attributed to initiation
of immunostimulating properties of heavy erythrocytes
(macrocytes), activization of immunoregulation cells of
peripheral blood, and increased sensitivity of effector cells to
helper signals. [37]
Arcaricadal property
Arcaricidal properties of decoctions, infusions and macerates
of dried flower heads of camomile, Matricaria chamomilla
L. were tested in vitro against the mite Psoroptes cuniculi
Delafond (Parasitiformes: Psoroptidae). This mite species is
responsible for otoacariasis in domestic animals. Mites were
exposed to the extracts for 24, 48 or 72 h. All the extracts
tested showed highly significant acaricidal activity when
compared with controls. Among them, a decoction of 10%
was the only formulation which gave 100% activity at all the
three observations times. [38]
Antihyperglycemic
Matricaria chamomilla L. ethanolic extract treatment
protected the majority of the pancreatic islet cells, with
respect to the control group. As a result, Matricaria
13
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